BUDGET HELP

Schools could use the stimulus

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan released $2.7 billion in federal stimulus funds earlier than planned — including $129 million for Hawaii's public schools. Duncan had planned to distribute the cash in October or November, but rushed it out to help states cope with increasingly tight budgets. The money comes from a fund for state government priorities that has very few strings attached. It doesn't have to be spent on education, although the Obama administration hopes it will be — and in Hawaii it should be.

HEALTH WEALTH

Make food prices lean and mean, too

A report released yesterday noted that Hawaii adults are among the sveltest in the nation. But the kids don't seem to be doing as well, ranking 37th. Too many Twinkies? Perhaps. But they are cheap. And therein lies the rub. With the cost of living off the charts — and climbing — here in Hawaii, it's not surprising. So-called “;healthy food”; is often much more expensive than unhealthy alternatives. If we are to turn this trend around, something has to be done to lower prices and make nutritious food affordable.

BUNKER SHOT

Lamenting LPGA's absence from Hawaii

It's understandable and was foreseeable given today's economic woes — but still a shame.

There are no LPGA tournaments in Hawaii on the schedule for 2010, a first since 2004, with the just-announced cancellation of the Kapalua LPGA Classic on Maui; a title sponsor could not be found. Earlier this year, the LPGA's SBS Open at Turtle Bay died when the Seoul Broadcasting System pulled its sponsorship.

Too bad — given that with players like Hawaii's Michelle Wie, Morgan Pressel, Jiyai Shin and Lorena Ochoa, interest in women's golf seems to be on the upswing.